There was a time before the familiar classical era Latin in which there were more cases. Yes, even more than the five (or six, or six and a half) that we know. The classical ablative is actually a combination of three of those earlier cases. Understanding those earlier cases can help us sort out the seemingly random mass of ablatve uses.
Sic Transit Gloria Mundi
Sic transit gloria mundi - "So passes the glory of the world." This Latin sentence pops up in all sorts of places. Few people, however, seem aware of where it comes from.
Christian Latin: Ave Regina Caelorum
If you're interested in Medieval or Christian Latin, you might enjoy the post below from the blog Spes in Domino. It briefly discusses both the history of the prayer/hymn Ave Regina Caelorum, and also some specific Latin language aspects. https://spesindomino.org/hail-queen-ave-regina-caelorum/
Look, Romans! Ecce Romani Review
Ecce Romani may be a good choice for you, if you're looking for a reading-based text with a less-rigorous approach to grammar. If you're looking for something more traditional, probably not.
Ancient Rome lives on in The Church
The Church "baptized" the best parts of ancient Rome and incorporated them into a new Christian Europe. The vast treasury of pagan Roman literature that we possess today, for example, would have been lost without the labor of Christian monks in their scriptoria.
The Weightiest of Reasons: The Pope and Latin in the Liturgy
Contrary to the common misconception, however, the council did not retire the Latin language. Furthermore, as the quote above demonstrates, John XXIII would have strenuously opposed any attempts to do so. In any case, the council and the pope were in agreement.
Latin is Everywhere: The Power of Quotes
Roughly half of English words come from Latin, and the more technical the vocabulary, the higher the proportion. It has also been an inextricable part of what people built, painted, and wrote about over the past fifteen centuries.
Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat: Good Quotes Never Die
Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat Fortes Fortuna adiuvat, "Fortune helps the brave!" A more common, if somewhat less literal translation is "Fortune favors the bold!" Well, it still captures the sense of the statement, and preserves the alliteration of the original. It also captures the swashbuckling spirit with which this sentiment was intoned in at least one … Continue reading Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat: Good Quotes Never Die
Latin for Americans: An Inviting Intro
The friendly tone, colorful pictures, and the inclusion of random yet interesting tidbits of information make this an inviting entry to the Latin language for average to upper average students.
Eram Quod Es: the Quote of the Week
These six little words (or is it two little words?) pack quite a punch.